Fishlock’s goal, Ingle’s return: Pride for Wales in St. Gallen

Despite a 4–1 defeat, Wales find meaning in historic moments and unwavering support

Wales head coach Rhian Wilkinson. Credit: Uefa/Uefa via Getty Images

Usually, when you lose 4-1, calls for an inquest grow, displeasure increases amongst the fan base, and there’s a general mix of disappointment and anger.

It’s just gone midnight on Wednesday night St. Gallen, and the last of the media teams enter the city. As everyone is about to go their separate ways, a familiar noise comes lingering down the street. Yma o Hyd, once again, is being sung with the same passion and fervour as it had been in the stadium a few short hours earlier.

Lo and behold, in an Irish bar that’s owned by a man from Cardiff, hundreds of Wales fans have come to celebrate and reminisce about the evening’s festivities. You would think that Wales had been 4-1 victors over France, but what those supporters saw in the stadium was another bit of history.

The talk in the Affekt bar in the centre of the old town was about how we just wanted to see a goal. Any goal would be good, but a goal that meant something at some stage of the match would be the cherry on top of an already delicious cake. 13 minutes in, Wales already a goal down. Step up, Jess Fishlock.

Ceri Holland, rightfully, needs to take a lot of credit for causing the French backline problems. But for Fishlock to have the presence of mind to be on the floor and still poke the ball home sums her up entirely. A rogue offside flag tried to take that special moment away, but the ever-reliable VAR came to Wales’ rescue.